Northeast blizzard pounds region, leaves thousands without power

Residents of the Northeastern United States are dealing with the aftermath of a blizzard that pummeled the region on Saturday, dumping up to 40 inches of snow. At least nine people were killed and thousands were without power, Reuters reported on Sunday.

This February 9, 2013 handout image provided by NASA, shows snow covering the northeastern US. The US northeast slowly dug out early Sunday from a mammoth blizzard that choked air, road and rail travel, left some 650,000 homes and businesses without power and caused at least seven deaths. New York and Long Island can be seen in the lower half of the image. (NASA HO/AFP/Getty Images)

Mary Leahy shovels out her sidewalk during a blizzard in Medford, Massachusetts February 9, 2013. (Jessica Rinaldi /Reuters)

Donnalyn Sullivan shovels out her front steps during a blizzard in Medford, Massachusetts February 9, 2013. A blizzard pummelled the Northeastern United States, killing at least one person, leaving hundreds of thousands without power and disrupting thousands of flights, media and officials said. (Jessica Rinaldi /Reuters)

Saniyyah Phillips, 8, scrapes the snow off of the top of her father’s car on February 9, 2013 in the Brighton neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. The powerful storm has knocked out power to 650,000 and dumped more than two feet of snow in parts of New England. (Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

A man shovels snow in Copley Square during a blizzard in Boston, Massachusetts February 9, 2013. (Jessica Rinaldi /Reuters)

People ski as other stand on a street in the Back Bay neighborhood following a powerful blizzard on February 9, 2013 in Boston, Massachusetts. The storm knocked out power to 650,000 and dumped more than two feet of snow in parts of New England. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

A woman poses for a photo on top of a snow mound following a powerful blizzard on February 9, 2013 in Boston, Massachusetts. The storm knocked out power to 650,000 and dumped more than two feet of snow in parts of New England. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

A pedestrian carries their skis past the word “Blizzard” written in the snow on the side of a building in Boston on Feb. 9, 2013, during a winter blizzard. (Brian Snyder/Reuters)

A man shovels snow in the Brooklyn borough of New York, February 9, 2013. A blizzard pummeled the Northeastern United States, killing at least one person, leaving hundreds of thousands without power and disrupting thousands of flights, media and officials said. (Eric Thayer/Reuters)

Dogs play in the snow in Central Park in New York, February 9, 2013. A blizzard pummeled the Northeastern United States, killing at least one person, leaving hundreds of thousands without power and disrupting thousands of flights, media and officials said. (Carlo Allegri/Reuters)

A woman and child look out over a pond in Prospect Park in Brooklyn the morning after a massive snow storm on February 9, 2013 in New York. New Yorkers woke up to over 10 inches of snow Saturday morning while parts of New England received over thirty inches following a storm that brought high winds and blizzard-like conditions to the region. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

People walk through snow-covered streets in Copley Square during a blizzard in Boston on Feb. 9, 2013. (Jessica Rinaldi/Reuters)

A person walks through the snow in an alley following a major winter storm on February 9, 2013 in Hoboken, N.J. Much of the Northeast received a foot or more of snow through Saturday morning with possible record-setting blizzard conditions expected. (Michael Bocchieri/Getty Images)

A police car is frozen after a winter storm covered New York City with 4 to 8 inches of snow on February 9, 2013. (Mehdi Taamallah/AFP/Getty Images

A snow plow goes down Winthrop Shore Drive as waves crash over the sea wall in Winthrop, Mass., on February 9, 2013. An overnight blizzard left one to two feet of snow in areas, and coastal flooding is expected as the storm lingers into the day. (Darren McCollester/Getty Images)

A man walks along Thames Street following a major winter storm on February 9, 2013 in New York City. (Andrew Kelly/Getty Images)

A couple looks out of a snow-covered window onto the street during a blizzard in Boston on Feb. 9, 2013. (Jessica Rinaldi/Reuters)

A woman shovels snow on Shirley Street February 9, 2013 in Winthrop, Mass. An overnight blizzard dropped two to three feet of snow, with coastal flooding expected as the storm lingers into the day. (Darren McCollester/Getty Images)

The ocean overflows the sea wall on Winthrop Shore Drive February 9, 2013 in Winthrop, Mass. An overnight blizzard left one to two feet of snow in areas, and coastal flooding is expected as the storm lingers into the day. (Darren McCollester/Getty Images)

A man takes photos in Copley Square during a lingering blizzard on February 9, 2013 in Boston. The powerful storm has knocked out power to 650,000 and dumped more than two feet of snow in parts of New England. (Mario Tama/Getty Images) A man takes photos in Copley Square during a lingering blizzard on February 9, 2013 in Boston. The powerful storm has knocked out power to 650,000 and dumped more than two feet of snow in parts of New England. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Snow gathers on shoes hung from power lines in the Lower East Side following a major winter storm on February 9, 2013 in New York City. New York City and much of the Northeast received a foot or more of snow through Saturday morning with possible record-setting blizzard conditions expected. (Andrew Kelly / Getty Images)

Long Island Railroad workers are seen along the tracks in Manhasset, New York February 9, 2013. (Shannon Stapleton/Reuters)

A man cross country skis in Prospect Park in Brooklyn the morning after a massive snow storm on February 9, 2013 in New York . New Yorkers woke up to over 10 inches of snow, Saturday morning while parts of New England received over 30 inches following a storm that brought high winds and blizzard-like conditions to the region. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

The John Singleton Copley statue stands in Copley Square during a lingering blizzard on February 9, 2013 in Boston. The powerful storm has knocked out power to 650,000 and dumped more than two feet of snow in parts of New England. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

A man pulls a child on a sled in Prospect Park in Brooklyn the morning after a massive snow storm on February 9, 2013 in New York. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

A woman practices meditation after the passing of a winter storm in Jersey City in New Jersey, on February 9, 2013. A blizzard packing hurricane-force winds pummeled the northeastern United States on Friday and Saturday. (Eduardo Munoz / Reuters)

Peter Webster sleds down Chestnut Street with his children in Boston, February 9, 2013, during a winter blizzard. (Brian Snyder/Reuters)

A man shovels snow from his car along the Long Island Expressway in the Suffolk County area of New York, February 9, 2013. (Shannon Stapleton / Reuters)

A woman works to clear snow from her sidewalk during a blizzard in Medford, Massachusetts February 9, 2013. (Jessica Rinaldi/Reuters)

A child sits buried in the snow waiting for his father to take his photo in Central Park in New York, February 9, 2013. A blizzard pummeled the Northeastern United States, killing at least one person, leaving hundreds of thousands without power and disrupting thousands of flights, media and officials said. (Carlo Allegri/Reuters)

Paul Leahy uses a snowblower to clear out snow during a blizzard in Medford, Massachusetts February 9, 2013. (Jessica Rinaldi/Reuters)

A man drags a shovel up Beacon Hill during a severe winter snow storm in Boston, February 9, 2013. (Brian Snyder/Reuters)

Mike Streeter shovels snow in his front yard as ocean water crashes over the sea wall just feet away on February 9, 2013 in Winthrop, Massachusetts. The powerful storm has knocked out power to 650,000 and dumped more than two feet of snow in parts of New England. (Darren McCollester/Getty Images)

A woman walks down Charles Street during a severe winter storm in Boston, February 9, 2013. A blizzard pummeled the Northeastern United States, killing at least one person, leaving hundreds of thousands without power and disrupting thousands of flights, media and officials said. (Brian Snyder/Reuters)

Hospital emergency room worker Susan Johnson shovels out her car to go to work during a severe winter storm in Boston, Massachusetts. A blizzard pummeled the Northeastern United States, killing at least one person, leaving hundreds of thousands without power and disrupting thousands of flights, media and officials said. (Brian Snyder/Reuters Photo)

Phoebe Lightburn, 9, makes a snow angel in Central Park in New York February 9, 2013. (Carlo Allegri/Reuters)

Steve Young shovels out his sidewalk during a severe winter storm in Boston, Massachusetts February 9, 2013. A blizzard pummeled the Northeastern United States, killing at least one person, leaving hundreds of thousands without power and disrupting thousands of flights, media and officials said. (Brian Snyder/Reuters)

Stores along Shirley Street in Winthrop, Mass., are blocked by snow, February 9, 2013. The powerful storm has knocked out power to 650,000 and dumped more than two feet of snow in parts of New England. (Darren McCollester/Getty Images)

Snow plows (lower left) move past Copley Square during a blizzard on February 9, 2013 in Boston. The powerful storm has knocked out power to 650,000 and dumped more than two feet of snow in parts of New England. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)Snow plows (lower left) move past Copley Square during a blizzard on February 9, 2013 in Boston. The powerful storm has knocked out power to 650,000 and dumped more than two feet of snow in parts of New England. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

A man shovels snow along Winthrop Shore Drive in Winthrop, Mass., February 9, 2013. The storm has knocked out power to 650,000 and dumped more than two feet of snow in parts of New England. (Darren McCollester/Getty Images)

A man watches flood water from the ocean move down Coral Street in Winthrop, Mass., on February 9, 2013. A powerful blizzard has knocked out power to 650,000 and dumped more than two feet of snow in parts of New England. (Darren McCollester/Getty Images)

A woman makes her way through snow and wind in New York, February 8, 2013. A blizzard blew into the northeastern United States on Friday, cutting short the workweek for millions who feared being stranded as state officials ordered roads closed ahead of what forecasters said could be record-setting snowfall.(Keith Bedford/Reuters Photo)

Two girls look for a taxi in the snow in Times Square in New York on February 8, 2013 during a storm affecting the northeast U.S. (Mehdi Taamallah/AFP/Getty Images)

A woman takes a photo of a snow man that was erected at the fountain at Lincoln Center during New York Fashion Week in New York, February 8, 2013. A blizzard blew into the northeastern United States on Friday, cutting short the workweek for millions who feared being stranded as state officials ordered roads closed ahead of what forecasters said could be record-setting snowfall. From New York to Maine, the storm began gently, dropping a light dusting of snow, but officials urged residents to stay home, rather than risk getting stuck in deep drifts when the storm kicks up later Friday afternoon. (Carlo Allegri/Reuters Photo)

Snow covers cafe tables and chairs in New York’s Bryant Park, February 8, 2013. A blizzard pummeled the Northeastern United States, killing at least one person, leaving hundreds of thousands without power and disrupting thousands of flights, media and officials said. (Keith Bedford/Reuters)

Workers shovel snow in Times Square in New York on February 8, 2013 during a storm affecting the northeast U.S. (Mehdi Taamallah/AFP/Getty Images)

Snow is cleared in front of the Boston Public Library on February 8, 2013 in Boston. Massachusetts as well as other states from New York to Maine are hunkered down for a major blizzard with possible record amounts of snowfall in some areas. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

BOSTON/NEW YORK (Reuters) – The Northeast started digging itself out after a blizzard dumped up to 40 inches of snow with hurricane force winds, killing at least nine people and leaving hundreds of thousands without power.

By early Sunday, utility companies were reporting roughly 350,000 customers still without electricity across a nine-state region after the wet, heavy snow brought down tree branches and power lines. About half a million had been down as of late Saturday.

Air traffic began to return to normal Sunday after some 5,800 flights were canceled Friday and Saturday, according to Flightaware, a flight tracking service.

Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, and Long Island MacArthur Airport reopened on Sunday morning. Both were closed on Saturday.

Boston’s Logan International Airport reopened late on Saturday, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

Rare travel bans in Connecticut and Massachusetts were lifted but roads throughout the region remained treacherous, according to state transportation departments.

As the region recovered, another large winter storm building across the Northern Plains was expected to leave a foot of snow and bring high winds from Colorado to central Minnesota into Monday, the National Weather Service said.

South Dakota was expected to be hardest hit, with winds reaching 50 miles per hour, creating white-out conditions. The storm was expected to reach parts of Nebraska, North Dakota, Wyoming and Wisconsin.

Friday and Saturday’s mammoth storm stretched from the Great Lakes to the Atlantic and covered several spots in the Northeast with more than 3 feet of snow. Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts took the brunt of the blizzard.

Hamden, Connecticut, had 40 inches and nearby Milford 38 inches, the National Weather Service said.

SOME TRANSIT STILL SUSPENDED

Amtrak said it planned to run a limited service between New York and Boston on Sunday and a regular Sunday schedule from New York to the state capital in Albany.

However, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority and Connecticut Transit said service would remain suspended Sunday.

Stratford, Connecticut, Mayor John Harkins told WTNH television on Saturday snow had fallen at a rate of 6 inches an hour and even plows were getting stuck.

The storm dropped 31.9 inches of snow on Portland, Maine, breaking a 1979 record, the weather service said. Winds gusted to 83 miles per hour (134 km per hour) at Cuttyhunk, New York, and brought down trees across the region.

The storm contributed to at least five deaths in Connecticut and two each in New York state and Boston, authorities said. A motorist in New Hampshire also died when he went off a road but authorities said his health may have been a factor in the crash.

The two deaths in Boston were separate incidents of carbon monoxide poisoning in cars, an 11-year-old boy and a man in his early 20s. The boy had climbed into the family car to keep warm while his father cleared snow. The engine was running but the exhaust was blocked, said authorities.

There were also road rescues along the Long Island Expressway from Friday night to Saturday morning, some using snowmobiles. A baby girl was delivered early Saturday by emergency services personnel in Worcester, Massachusetts.

(Additional reporting by Brendan O’Brien in Wisconsin, Scott Malone in Boston, Kevin Gray in Miami, Ellen Wulfhorst in New York, Ian Simpson in Washington, Jason McLure in Maine, Dan Burns in Connecticut, and Dan Lovering and Zach Howard in Massachusetts; Writing by David Bailey; Editing by Andrew Heavens, Corrie MacLaggan and Bill Trott)

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